Whether or not you’re looking for an skilled pilot or somebody who’s by no means flown earlier than, I’ve put collectively the last word present information for drone fanatics. From budget-friendly starters to premium FPV setups, right here’s the whole lot you want to know to nail your vacation purchasing this 12 months.
Drone items for absolutely the newbie
DJI Neo – $199
At simply $199, the DJI Neo is my prime choose for anybody getting began with drones (there’s additionally the DJI Neo 2, but it surely’s tougher to get your arms on and it’s costlier). It launches from the palm of your hand, shoots spectacular 4K video and weighs solely 135 grams (no FAA registration wanted!). The fully-enclosed propellers make it protected for flying indoors or round children. Excellent for content material creators, vloggers or anybody who needs to seize distinctive selfie angles with out the educational curve of a standard controller.
Why I adore it: It’s probably the most beginner-friendly drone in the marketplace, and you’ll’t beat the value.
DJI Mini 4K – Purchase on Amazon
For simply $100 greater than the Neo, the DJI Mini 4K delivers considerably extra functionality. You get correct 4K video at 30fps, a devoted distant controller (included!), and 31 minutes of flight time—practically double the Neo. It weighs below 250 grams, so leisure pilots nonetheless don’t have to register it. That is my suggestion if you would like a “actual” drone expertise with out breaking the financial institution.
Why I adore it: Greatest worth for the value, arms down. It’s what I like to recommend when individuals ask for the most cost effective drone that also delivers high quality outcomes.
For the drone pilot able to improve
DJI Flip – $439
The DJI Flip is the drone that shocked me most this 12 months. At $439, it delivers the identical 48MP digital camera high quality because the Mini 4 Professional (which prices $320 extra!) however in a novel design with foldable, full-coverage propeller guards. It’s good for vacationers, vloggers and content material creators who prioritize portability and security. The vertical capturing mode is clutch for Instagram Reels and TikTok.
Why I adore it: Skilled-level digital camera in a beginner-friendly package deal. The propeller guards imply I don’t stress about flying indoors or round individuals.
DJI Mini 3 – $419
If battery life issues greater than the rest, the Mini 3 is your drone. You stand up to 38 minutes of flight time (or 51 minutes with the Plus battery), plus a big 1/1.3-inch sensor that captures gorgeous 4K HDR video. The True Vertical Taking pictures characteristic makes it good for social media content material. It’s lately dropped in value, making it the most effective values within the under-$500 class.
Why I adore it: Longest flight time of any DJI drone below $500. If you want additional airtime for advanced pictures, that is the one.
HOVERAir X1 – $439
The HoverAir X1 stands out as the most effective non-DJI possibility on this value vary. It’s ultra-compact (128g), launches out of your palm, and has a novel get together trick: it information audio by means of your cellphone. The fully-enclosed propellers and pre-programmed flight paths make it useless easy to make use of. Whereas the two.7K video isn’t as sharp as DJI’s choices, it’s good for informal creators who worth portability above all else.
Why I adore it: Typically you need a DJI different, and that is the most effective one below $500.
For the FPV adventurer
DJI Avata 2 – $999
The DJI Avata 2 is hands-down the most effective indoor drone and probably the most thrilling drone I’ve flown this 12 months. With built-in propeller guards, you possibly can zip by means of tight areas with out worrying about crashes. The included DJI Goggles 3 and RC Movement 3 controller ship an immersive FPV expertise that feels such as you’re within the pilot’s seat. The upgraded 1/1.3-inch sensor shoots beautiful 4K video, and 23 minutes of flight time provides you loads of room to nail your pictures.
Why I adore it: It makes FPV flying accessible to everybody. You get that adrenaline rush without having to construct your individual racing drone.
DroneMask 2 – $179
Wish to flip your present drone into an FPV expertise with out spending $500 on DJI Goggles? The DroneMask 2 is your reply. This intelligent headset works along with your smartphone and virtually any digital camera drone to present you that first-person view. At lower than half the value of DJI Goggles 3, it’s good for anybody FPV-curious who needs to dip their toes in with out committing to a full Avata setup.
Why I adore it: Most inexpensive strategy to expertise FPV flying with a drone you already personal.
For cameras that aren’t truly drones
DJI Osmo Motion 4 – Worth varies
Each drone pilot wants an incredible motion digital camera along with their drone. We at the moment are onto the Osmo Motion 6 — however my Osmo Motion 4 remains to be holding robust and stays my go-to for ground-level motion pictures that complement aerial footage. It shoots 4K/120fps, handles excessive temperatures and the magnetic mounting system is genius. Plus, it performs good with DJI drones in your workflow.
Why I adore it: It’s the right companion to drone footage. The colour science matches DJI drones, making enhancing a breeze.
Insta360 X5 Necessities Bundle – Purchase on Amazon
Sure, I’m hawking a non-DJI digital camera proper right here! The Insta360 X5 takes 360-degree footage to a complete new degree. Simply look to the work we see from drone pilots like Eric Thurber that don’t rely simply on drones.
Items that don’t take up any area
Drone Adventurer Masterclass
Enroll now – Use code SALLY50 for a reduction
Whether or not you need to shoot actual property, weddings, or business work, this masterclass covers all of it. The funding pays for itself after your first paid gig.
UAV Coach Programs
The gold commonplace for Half 107 take a look at prep. In case your present recipient is severe about flying commercially, they want this coaching. UAV Coach persistently updates their materials to match present FAA laws.
Drone Dojo Subscription
Ongoing training is vital on this trade. Drone Dojo retains pilots present on laws, strategies, and trade developments with contemporary content material each month.
Masterclass Subscription
Past simply drones, Masterclass gives unbelievable programs from the world’s finest photographers, filmmakers, and storytellers. I’ve realized a lot about composition and storytelling from well-known specialists within the subject similar to Jimmy Chin, the man who made “Free Solo.”
Important Equipment
Premium Drone Provides Customized Touchdown Pad
A top quality touchdown pad isn’t nearly defending your drone, it’s about trying skilled. For hobbyists, possibly it’s nearly having enjoyable and creativie along with your shoot. That’s the place customized drone touchdown pads come into the image.
I take advantage of Premium Drone Provides as a result of they provide customized choices that allow you to add your brand (or hey, possibly your favourite image.
Save $5 in your order from Premium Drone Provides with code SALLYFRENCH.
Why I adore it: Sturdy, folds down small, and the brilliant colours make it straightforward to identify in any terrain.
Spare batteries and propellers – Worth varies
That is the 2025 vacation present for the sensible pilot. Further batteries imply extra flight time, and spare propellers imply your recipient gained’t be grounded after their first crash (and belief me, there will likely be crashes). Ensure you match the battery to their particular drone mannequin. Undecided what drone the one you love has? Simply ask (as a result of propellers and batteries could be incompatible with totally different drone fashions).
MicroSD Playing cards – Worth varies
You’ll be able to by no means have too many microSD playing cards. I like to recommend SanDisk Excessive playing cards as a finances choose — they’re quick sufficient for 4K video and dependable sufficient that I belief them with paid gigs. Get at the very least 128GB.
Professional tip: Label them!
Apple AirTags – $30
I lose a number of issues! With drones, there’s the elevated danger of theft. AirTags can provide some peace of thoughts that at the very least you’ll know the place your stuff is at. I like to recommend tucking one in your drone case.
Belkin BoostCharge Plus 10K Energy Financial institution – $55
A conveyable battery pack is crucial for all-day flying classes. This Belkin mannequin is my favourite—it costs quick, holds sufficient juice for a number of drone batteries and the compact dimension means it truly suits in my digital camera bag.
Enjoyable and distinctive items for drone pilots
Santa Drone Decoration – $16
Each drone pilot wants a drone decoration on their tree. Higher but when it’s Santa flying a DJI Phantom lookalike. It’s the little touches that present you get their ardour.
Personalised Puzzle – $10
Flip their favourite drone shot right into a customized puzzle. It’s a considerate present that celebrates their finest aerial work.
TinyCircuits TinyTV 2 – $60
This tiny retro TV shows movies and photographs from a microSD card. Load it up with their finest drone footage, they usually’ve received the world’s smallest spotlight reel on their desk. It’s quirky, nostalgic, and really helpful.
Nationwide Geographic World From Above – $26.56 (41% off)
This gorgeous espresso desk e book is principally 200+ pages of aerial images porn. Curated by Nationwide Geographic explorer Jeffrey Kerby, it showcases the world from above by means of the lenses of the world’s most progressive photographers—a lot of whom used drones to seize these pictures.
What makes it particular:
- Over 200 full-color aerial photographs organized by coloration, form, texture, and scale
- In-depth interviews with photographers about how they captured their most spectacular pictures
- Sidebars exploring the historical past of aerial perspective, from historic earthworks to trendy drones
- Hardcover, outsized format (good for that espresso desk or workplace)
Excellent for: Drone pilots who want inspiration, photographers who recognize composition from distinctive angles, or anybody who loves gorgeous nature images.
Aura Frames – $180
That is digital photograph body that ‘s truthfully an incredible present for anybody who loves trip slides and household photographs. It rotates by means of your curated listing of photographs. For drone pilots, it makes their finest drone pictures seen day by day.
2025 vacation present suggestions from a drone knowledgeable
Match the present to the ability degree. A $1,000 FPV drone is wasted on somebody who’s by no means flown earlier than, similar to a toy drone will disappoint an skilled pilot.
When unsure, go along with equipment. Further batteries, a touchdown pad, or coaching programs are at all times appreciated and by no means the fallacious alternative.
Test compatibility. DJI batteries and equipment are model-specific. Double-check you’re shopping for for the fitting drone earlier than you wrap it.
Contemplate an expertise. Typically the most effective present is a drone images workshop, a guided flying lesson, or perhaps a day journey someplace scenic to fly collectively.
Present playing cards work. When you’re undecided what they want, a present card to B&H Photograph, Amazon, or straight from DJI means they will get precisely what they need.
Comfortable holidays, and comfortable flying! 🎄✈️
— Sally French, The Drone Lady
Disclosure: Some hyperlinks on this information are affiliate hyperlinks, which suggests I could earn a small fee when you make a purchase order by means of them. This doesn’t price you something additional and helps assist my work creating free content material like this present information. I solely advocate merchandise I’ve personally examined and genuinely imagine in. Thanks for supporting The Drone Lady!
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